Presentation given at ELI 2008 on the electronic portfolio project at Seton Hall University

1. Redefining Electronic Portfolios: A View into the First Year Experience Tracy Gottlieb Ph.D., Dean of Freshman Studies Paul Fisher, Director TLT Center Danielle Mirliss, Associate Director TLT Center

3. University Strategic Vision “ Comprehensive outcomes assessment in the form of “value added” to the student learning experience will be a cornerstone of our undergraduate strategic plan.” “ Strengthen the on-going program for the assessment of student learning.”

8. New University Core Curriculum Creation of a Common Experience University Life, Signature Courses (I, II, III)

16. Fall 2005 Survey Reponses Percentage Very Satisfied and Satisfied I understand the concept of and importance of ePortfolio as it was presented in class 52 % The ePortfolio lesson was clearly presented in class 60.8 % The system used to create the ePortfolio was easy to use 46.6 % My mentor and/or peer advisor was able to answer basic technical questions regarding ePortfolio 77.1 %

19. Fall 2006 Survey Reponses Percentage Very Satisfied and Satisfied I understand the concept of and importance of ePortfolio as it was presented in class 66.7 % The ePortfolio lesson was clearly presented in class 79.2 % The system used to create the ePortfolio was easy to use 68 % My mentor and/or peer advisor was able to answer basic technical questions regarding ePortfolio 89.4 %

20. Student Comments “ Doing an ePortfolio was productive in that I was really able to reflect on my first semester of college. ” “ Learning how to make an eportfolio was most helpful, because I was able to use this knowledge in other classes.” “ The e-portfolio was the most valuable because I learned how to present information in a professional manner that was different from a paper resume.” “ I found the ePortfolio to be the most valuable thing that I did in this course, because it help me realize a lot of things about myself.”

24. Fall 2007 Survey Reponses Percentage Very Satisfied and Satisfied I understand the concept of and importance of ePortfolio as it was presented in class 76.2% The ePortfolio lesson was clearly presented in class 87% The system used to create the ePortfolio was easy to use 75.4% My mentor and/or peer advisor was able to answer basic technical questions regarding ePortfolio 92% The ePortfolio enabled me to reflect on my growth as a college student during my first semester at SHU 76.4% 76.4%

27. How Far We’ve Come… Percentage Very Satisfied and Satisfied 2005 2006 2007 I understand the concept of and importance of ePortfolio as it was presented in class 52% 66.7% 76.2% The ePortfolio lesson was clearly presented in class 60.8% 79.2% 87% The system used to create the ePortfolio was easy to use 46.6% 68% 75.4% My mentor and/or peer advisor was able to answer basic technical questions regarding ePortfolio 77.1% 89.4% 92%

29. National Coalition for Electronic Portfolio Research Across the country and around the world, at institutions of all kinds, students are creating electronic portfolios—portfolios for personal planning, freshman learning communities, general education, the major, advising, graduation, and on and on. Although these individual research efforts point us in the right direction, they have not enabled us to ask systematically and from one campus to the next, “What learning is taking place as a function of digital portfolios? How do we know?” This Coalition brings together faculty from ten campuses per year in successive cohorts. Ten institutions in a cohort each design a campus-based research agenda, enact it, and report out results.

30. Research Question… What is the role of the electronic portfolio in predicting whether students are at risk for early attrition?

32. Fall 2006 ePortfolio Activities: Have you been proactive by becoming involved on campus? What activities have you been involved in, on or off campus, that have enhanced your first year of college? Describe in 200 words or more and include images and web resources where appropriate. Career Goals: Where do you see yourself after graduation? If you are unsure, then this section should explore career paths that are interesting to you, and how you are going about exploring these differing areas. How are you “Beginning with the End in Mind” in order to prepare for a future career? How did the Career Development Month program that you attended in November help you in considering you career path? Describe in 200 words or more and include images and web resources where appropriate.

36. Thank you! Any Questions? Tracy Gottlieb – [email_address] Paul Fisher – [email_address] Danielle Mirliss – [email_address]